Dianthus barbatus - Plant Finder Plant Finder Tried and Trouble-free Recommended by 4 Professionals Common Name: sweet William Native Range: Southern Europe from Pyrenees to Carpathians and Balkans Zone: 3 to 9 Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet Bloom Time: May to frost Bloom Description: Red, pink, white, and bicolors Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Garden locations Culture Winter hardy to USDA Zones 3-9. This is a short-lived perennial that is perhaps best grown as a biennial. However, many gardeners simply purchase cold treated plants in spring and grow them as annuals. Moreover, many of the new cultivars will bloom the first year from seed if the seed is started early enough. Sweet William is best grown in deep, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun, but generally appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. In optimum growing conditions it will reseed each year and remain in the garden for many years as if it were a long-lived perennial.

Double-flowered forms will not come true from seed, however. Prompt deadheading of spent flowers (shear back large plantings) promotes perennial tendencies. Seed may be planted directly in the garden in late spring for bloom the following year. Some nurseries sell seedlings in early fall that may be planted immediately for bloom the following year. Nurseries commonly sell plants in spring for flowering the same year. Noteworthy Characteristics Dianthus barbatus, commonly called sweet William, typically grows 12-24” tall and features small flowers held in dense, flat-topped terminal clusters (3-5” wide). Many cultivars are available in commerce, including double-flowered forms as well as some dwarf plants (4-8” tall). Flowers come in vivid shades of red, pink, white and bicolor, sometimes with a contrasting eye, and with fringed petals that are bearded on the inside. Bloom from late spring to early summer. Flowers may be fragrant, although many of the newer cultivars have no scent. Lance-shaped medium green leaves (to 4” long). Genus name comes from the Greek words dios meaning divine and anthos meaning flower.

Specific epithet means bearded or with long, weak hairs. Problems Susceptible to crown rot and rust, particularly in poorly-drained soils. Watch for snails and slugs. Garden Uses Dianthus Care - Flower Description, Varieties & Tips By Jamie McIntosh Updated May 23, 2016. It’s easy to get confused when shopping for dianthus plants for the garden, as the genus encompasses plants that behave as annuals, perennials, and biennials . While each of these have their place in the flower garden, if you’re looking for the heirloom pinks your grandmother grew, you should make room in your landscape for the perennial dianthus flower. What's in a Name? The genus Dianthus belongs to the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae. Dianthus barbatus is a biennial type of dianthus, while D. plumarius, D. superbus, and D. deltoides are perennials in the garden. If you’re puzzled by the common name “pinks” when you look at the variety of dianthus colors on the market, examine the fringed edges of the petals closely.

A pair of pinking shears would give you a similar ragged edge on a piece of cloth, hence the nickname. The name “cheddar” refers to the Cheddar Gorge in England where pinks have naturalized. In addition to Cheddar pinks, dianthus also goes by the common names of clove pinks, gilly flower, and sweet William (which most often refers to the biennial dianthus). continue reading below our video Red Wine? No Problem. 5 Secret Stain-Busting Fixes Kate Middleton did not corner the market on choosing clever flowers for her bridal bouquet when she added the blooms of Sweet William to her arrangement. The name doesn’t derive from the prince, or any other man named William; rather, it is a derivative of the French word that means “little eye.” Dianthus Attributes Many dianthus plants feature handsome bluish-grey foliage that is showy in its own right when the plants are not in bloom. The foliage is narrow, even grass-like. Plants may exhibit a mounded shape, an erect habit, or a trailing habit. Blooms are heaviest in the spring, with some rebloom into fall possible.

Dianthus blooms may be single or double (think little carnations ), but all have the same jagged edged petals. Flower colors include white, lilac, red (but never a hint of orange), and all shades of pink. Plant heights vary from five inches to three feet tall. Dianthus Planting Tips Dianthus flowers may be perennials in zones 3-9, although hardiness varies between varieties. Full sun is important for thriving plants, so choose a location that gets at least six hours each day. Stem rot can be a problem in dianthus plants if the soil doesn’t drain well. If your soil is heavy clay, consider containers or raised beds for your plants. Dianthus plants like neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH . If your soil pH is below 7.0, correct the acidity with an application of dolomitic limestone. Fireplace ashes can also increase the soil alkalinity . Mulch is fine to keep weeds under control, but don’t let the mulch crowd around the crowns of dianthus to avoid rot. Dianthus Care Deadhead dianthus after flowering to promote rebloom.

Dianthus plants are light feeders, and a shovelful of compost worked into the soil once a year is enough to nourish the plants. Even the perennial dianthus varieties are short-lived in the garden. Save seeds from your favorites to plant the following season where old plants fail to come up. Garden Design With Dianthus The mounding shape of dianthus plants and long blooming time makes them welcome additions to the container garden . Place dianthus plants at the front of your garden beds and borders where you can appreciate the pleasant clove fragrance. Add some dianthus plants to your butterfly and hummingbird gardens , as the flowers attract both with their nectar. Include dianthus plants in your alpine or rock garden . The plants thrive in the quickly draining soil of these landscapes. Choose heirloom varieties of dianthus for your cottage garden . Try ‘Pheasant’s Eye,’ a variety from the 17th century. Dianthus is a safe bet for gardens bothered by deer, as it is a deer-resistant plant . Unfortunately, the same doesn’t hold true for rabbits. Plant some dianthus in your cutting garden.

They add fragrance to petite arrangements like nosegays and tussy-mussies . Recommended Dianthus Varieties Arctic Fire: Features the contrasting eye common in the biennial varieties, but this one is hardy to zone 3. Firewitch: Although this hot pink variety has been in cultivation since 1957, its popularity really exploded when it was named the 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year. First Love: Repeat blooms are common on this plant, which may have white and pink blossoms at the same time. Rose De Mai: Very fragrant heirloom with lilac flowers Dianthus barbatus Dianthus barbatus This plant has poison characteristics. See below. Common Name(s): Comment: A biennial treated as an annual; recent hybrids are annuals; remove spent flowers; moderate watering; may reseed Description: Perennial herbs; leaves narrow and often gray-waxy; flowers 5-parted, often fragrant, pink-lilac, pink-purple or white. Season: Growing Dianthus Flowers In The Garden – How To Care For Dianthus Plant Image by Christine Majul By Bonnie L.

Grant Dianthus flowers (Dianthus spp.) are also called “pinks.” They belong to a family of plants which includes carnations and are characterized by the spicy fragrance the blooms emit. Dianthus plants may be found as a hardy annual, biennial or perennial and most often used in borders or potted displays. A quick tutorial on how to grow dianthus reveals the ease of care and versatility of this attractive flowering plant. Dianthus Plant The dianthus plant is also called Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) and has a fragrance with cinnamon or clove notes. The plants are small and usually between 6 and 18 inches tall. Dianthus flowers are most often in pink, salmon, red and white hues. The foliage is slender and sparsely spread on thick stems. Dianthus had a short blooming season until 1971, when a breeder learned how to grow forms that did not set seed and, therefore, had a prolonged their bloom period. Modern varieties will typically bloom from May to October. Planting Dianthus Plant pinks in full sun, partial shade or anywhere they will receive at least 6 hours of sun.

The plants need fertile, well-drained soil that is alkaline. Wait until the danger of frost has passed when planting dianthus and place them at the same level they were growing in the pots, with 12 to 18 inches between the plants. Do not mulch around them. Water them only at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent mildew spotting. How to Care for Dianthus Instructions on how to care for dianthus are very straightforward. Water the plants when dry and apply fertilizer every six to eight weeks. You may also work a slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting, which will release you from the need to feed the plants. Some varieties of dianthus are self-sowing, so deadheading is extremely important to reduce volunteer plants and to encourage additional blooming. Perennial varieties are short lived and should be propagated by division, tip cuttings or even layering. Dianthus seed is also readily available at garden centers and may be started indoors six to eight weeks before the danger of frost has passed. Dianthus Flower Varieties There is a dianthus plant for almost any garden space and region.

The typical annual dianthus is the Dianthus chinensis, or Chinese pinks. The perennial varieties include Cheddar (D. gratianopolitanus), Cottage (D. plumarius) and Grass pinks (D. armeria). The foliage on all of these is blue-gray and each comes in a rainbow of colors. D. barbatus is the common Sweet William and a biennial. There are both double and single flowers and the variety reseeds itself. Allwood pinks (D. x allwoodii) are long lasting with flowering extending at least 8 weeks. They are mostly double flowering and come in two sizes, 3 to 6 inches and 10 to 18 inches tall. New Dianthus variety is called ‘Green Trick’ New Dianthus variety is called ‘Green Trick’ Dianthus barbatus, or “sweet William” Courtesy Posted: # Comments Dianthus barbatus “Green Trick” “Temarisou” Courtesy The Dianthus has been revered for more than 2,000 years. Sometimes called the “flower of the gods,” it is one of the oldest cultivated flower varieties.

The history of this flower dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times. The scientific name Dianthusis thought to have originated from the Greek words “dios,” referring to the god Zeus, and “anthos,” meaning flower. Its more common name, carnation, is believed to have come from the word coronation or corone, meaning flower garland, as carnations were popular flowers in garlands worn by the classic Greeks and Romans. Native to the southern European areas, carnations came to the United States in the early 1800s and, because of their great appeal, moved across the country with settlers. The well-known, long-blooming, ruffled, clove-like scented Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation) variety is now a garden favorite. It is also commercially grown in shades pink, peach, red, yellow, white, purple and even green — often associated with holidays such as green for St. Patrick’s Day. Dianthus barbatus or sweet Williams are also wonderful in the garden. Their white, pink, red, purple and many variegated patterns have adorned borders, rock gardens and country cottage style gardens since Victorian times.

Their stately blooms make outstanding cut flowers and they also attract birds, bees and butterflies. For centuries, the distinctive shapes and colors of the Dianthus have maintained vast worldwide appeal. In many parts of the world, the popularity of carnations surpasses that of any other flower including the rose. But, things do change. Although it might not be quite as significant as comets hitting the planet Jupiter, a breakthrough in the horticultural world was recently recognized at the International Horti-Fair in Amsterdam. A new carnation variety, Dianthus barbatus “Green Trick” “Temarisou” was introduced. Considered for the Innovation Award and one of the New Products for the year, Dianthus barbatus “Green Trick” was praised for its striking flower shape, excellent vase life and outstanding green color. The “Green Trick” has become the celebrity of the European flower world. Originating in Japan, this new Dianthus is related to the time-honored garden variety Dianthus barbatus or sweet William, but it appears almost totally different. When spying “Green Trick” for the first time, the question people ask is, “What is that?” The “Green Trick” is like nothing seen before.

Atop a sturdy carnation-like stem, a single compact lush spherical globe of striking fresh green catches the eye. These versatile flowers can introduce a one-of-a-kind shape, texture and color to a wide variety of floral designs. They can be tall and sturdy, provide focal interest, be used like moss or incorporated into miniature designs. The blooms do well in floral foam, flower frogs and even under water, and blooms will last up to four weeks. Advertisement Flower farms worldwide are rushing to grow “Green Trick,” and these new flowers are becoming more available and are beginning to appear in local nurseries. Source: Joyce Dean, a member of the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society 2004: The Year of the Dianthus 2004: The Year of the Dianthus The National Garden Bureau Celebrates 2004 as the Year of the Dianthus For centuries, Dianthus has been one of the most sought after plants for the garden. As an authority on annuals the National Garden Bureau found its popularity comes in part from its ease of growing, but even more so from its palette of colors.

Blooms present not only bright, solid colors--white, red, rose, dark red, lavender, pink, and the elusive yellow (D. knappii)--but also bicolors: picotees, with solid colors edged in white or a paler hue; "eyed" blooms with dark marks at their centers; streaks and multi-colored blooms on one plant. Add foliage that ranges from bright green to gray-green, spicy fragrance in many species, and plant size that runs the gamut from petite 6-inch plants for edging a perennial garden, highlighting a rock garden, or finishing off a container to 3-foot specimens suitable for borders and cutting gardens, and you can understand why gardeners get excited about this variable genus. Read on about some of the more popular species and hybrids and how to raise them successfully in your own garden. THE NAMING OF PLANTS The genus Dianthus contains about 300 species, but only a rather small number warrant the attention of home gardeners. Dianthus, variously known as sweet william, pinks, maiden pink, and carnation, is from the Greek words for "flower of the gods" (meaning Zeus; Jove, or Jupiter, to the Romans).

Dianthus is in the family Caryophyllaceae, a name derived from the Greek for clove tree, a reference to the often clove-scented blooms. The National Garden Bureau notes there are only four Dianthus species that are readily available for gardeners. Each is described below with a selection of varieties for reference. * Dianthus barbatus (Dye-ANN-thus bar-BAY-tus) is the familiar sweet william of countless old-fashioned cottage gardens, a short-lived perennial or biennial. Newer varieties are annual flowering. Sweet william does not refer to a person; the sweet alludes to the plants fragrance; william comes from the mispronounciation, centuries ago, of the French word for the flower: little eye, or oiellet. The blooms of the species and many hybrids have a central spot, or eye. Native to southern Europe, sweet william is winter-hardy to Zone 4 and grows from 5 inches to 2 feet tall. Its single, sometimes double, flowers appear in dense clusters from late spring through summer. Flowers may or may not be fragrant.

Some very old varieties still grace gardens, like the open-pollinated Wee Willie which grows a petite 5 inches tall and produces early, single flowers. Other, more modern varieties range from the open-pollinated Pinocchio Mix, a dwarf biennial, and the Giant Imperial series, a tall biennial, to tall annual F1 hybrids such as the Hollandia series and Cinderella Mix, a hybrid for the cutting garden. 'Amazon Neon Duo' flowers are a 50:50 mixture of cherry and purple. The 18- to 24-inch Amazon does double duty as a perennial (Zone 5) and as a cutflower. 'Noverna' and 'Heritage' series are new, medium-tall annuals. * D. chinensis (Chin-NEN-sis) a.k.a. China pinks, can be an annual or biennial or short-lived perennial (hardy to Zone 7), though all the best varieties or series on the market today will flower as an annual - first year from seed.

Originally from China, plants tend to be dwarf, 6 to 10 inches tall, but may reach 18 inches. They produce single (occasionally double), small, scentless flowers intermittently all summer. These carefree plants need little maintenance; deadheading is not required for them to continue to bloom. The common name, pink, refers not to the color of the blooms but to their serrated edges; to "pink" (with slightly different spelling of pynken) meant to cut or notch in old-English--think of pinking shears. Actually, the word for the color pink comes from the name of the flower, not the other way around. Some of the best among open-pollinated varieties are Persian Carpet, Pastel Bedder and China Doll (a 1970 All-America Selections Winner). Hybrids Snowfire (1978 AAS winner), Magic Charms (1974 AAS winner) and Corona Cherry Magic (2003 AAS winner) offer F1 vigor and unusual colors.

The blooms of the latter combine solid cherry, lavender with cherry center and tie-dyed lavender/cherry on the same plant for a striking show. 'Raspberry Parfait' as featured on the front cover, reaches a full sun garden height of 6 to 8 inches and spreads 8 to10 inches in USDA Hardiness Zone 5, AHS Heat Zone 9-1. * D. chinensis x barbatus. One of the most common interspecific crosses, this group combines the best of both species. Hybrids from these crosses flower more freely and tolerate more heat and frost than either of the individual species. Blooms tend to be larger as well and appear in terminal clusters. Plants may be annual or biennial, but if you start them early enough indoors they will flower the first year from seed. Ideal Violet with bright green leaves, won an AAS award in 1992. The 'Ideal' series contains 18 colors. Plants are heat and frost tolerant reaching 8 to 10 inches. 'Ideal Cherry Picotee' flowers are a bicolor design with a pink flower edge. * Other interspecific hybrids.

Because Dianthus species cross-pollinate so readily, they produce hybrids easily. Many hybrids have barbatus as one parent with the other parent unknown, except to the breeder. Interspecific hybrids may be annual, biennial, or perennial. They offer color all season on plants that flower freely and tolerate heat and tough situations. Bouquet Purple is a prime example; excellent as part of a cutting garden or in a border, it produces tall, sturdy stems and lacy, lightly fragrant flowers. Melody Pink (2000 AAS winner) is another; an annual bred to be a cut flower, it grows to about 2 feet but spreads to only 10 to 12 inches and produces clusters of single flowers. F1 'Dynasty Purple' is a lightly scented double flowered Dianthus with a garden height of 18 to 19 inches. MORE DELIGHTFUL DIANTHUS There are six lesser-known species worth mentioning. While conducting research the National Garden Bureau found they are not readily available. The best source for seed or plants may be mail order catalogs. * D. x allwoodii (sometimes referred to as D.

hybridus), commonly known as Allwood pinks, derived from crosses and backcrosses among a number of species, including carnation, cottage pinks and D. alpinus (the shorter hybrids). Compact and vigorous, they bloom off and on through midsummer, if you deadhead spent flowers. The flowers are fragrant; the foliage, gray-green. * D. caryophyllus a.k.a. carnation or clove pink, includes the familiar florists carnations as well as border carnations. Hybrids are usually grown from cuttings, not seed, to retain uniform characteristics. * D. plumarius commonly known as cottage pink, is a low growing, loosely tufted perennial, hardy to Zone 3. Both foliage and flowers are fragrant. An heirloom species introduced from Europe in Colonial days, it has single- and double-flowered forms. Romance Mix produces single flowers in a wide color range; Sweetness (Zones 4 to 9) flowers the first year from seed and bears some double flowers. * D. chinensis Heddewigii is a variety of China pinks, which blooms the first year from seed.

An heirloom variety (listed in the Burpee Seed catalog back in 1888) it is very free flowering and produces double flowers. * D. knappii flowers the first year from seed sown in early spring. Hardy to Zone 3, it is the only true sulphur-yellow species, flowers in summer and grows to 16 inches tall. Yellow Harmony is a fine variety. * D. deltoides commonly known as maiden pink, forms evergreen tufts or mats. Plants are very hardy (perennial to Zone 3). One of the few Dianthus to grow well in partial shade, it produces small flowers from summer to fall. Good for rock gardens and hillsides, cultivars include Zing Rose and Zing Salmon. 'Confetti Cherry Red' is a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9, AHS Heat Zone 9-1. * D. superbus, a.k.a. lilac pink, originated in Europe and Asia. A short-lived perennial hardy to Zone 4, it reseeds readily. Treat it as a biennial for best results.

Flowering in summer, it produces deeply fringed petals, which are fragrant. Crimsonia and 'Primadonna' are two cultivars on the market. A BRIEF HISTORY You need to go way back in history, to ancient Greek and Roman times in fact, to find the first references to Dianthus. Through the centuries, they traveled from Europe to England and eventually to colonial America, picking up a variety of intriguing names along the way. Known variously as sweet william, pinks, gillyflower, cottage pink, carnation and clove pink, Dianthus species became an integral part of gardens, due to their charming forms, colors and sometimes heady fragrances. People also used the flowers for flavorings, in wine, soups, sauces and jams. Because Dianthus cross-pollinates between species with ease in the wild and in the garden (like the orchid in that characteristic) connoisseurs had an abundance of different plants to select from. Until the 20th century, however, most selections were chance hybrids, courtesy of nature and of enthusiastic gardeners. The characteristics of a particular plant were usually preserved through propagating by cuttings and division.

Until the last century, Dianthus flowers had a much shorter season than they now do. In the late 1960s, a Goldsmith Seeds breeder, Charles James, crossed D. barbatuswith D. chinensis, in spite of Glenn Goldsmiths warning that the cross would be unable to produce seed. Happily, he was wrong, and Queen of Hearts, as the resulting plant was named, went on to win an All-America Award in 1971. This interspecific cross had many advantages. The chinensis parent line brought large flowers; the barbatus parent, hardiness and vigor. While the parent plant set seed, the progeny F1 hybrid plants were sterile and did not set seed. Because of this, the hybrid plants flowered freely all season. Many Dianthus species go to seed and stop producing flowers in midseason. Prior to this time, most Dianthus had a flowering season similar to candytuft, pretty but short. Goldsmith followed up with another interspecific cross; Magic Charms won an AAS award in 1974.

Both varieties, but especially Magic Charms, opened up the market for growers, who could now produce flowering bedding plants in pots or packs for spring which would go on to bloom all summer for the home gardener. Other interspecific crosses, by many companies, have followed in the ensuing years, some open-pollinated, some F1 hybrids. GROWING DIANTHUS FROM SEED Most Dianthus grow easily from seed. Follow these easy directions to have many plants from a small packet of seed. Start Seeds Indoors Plan to sow seeds 6 to 8 weeks before you want to plant them outdoors. Because Dianthus withstands some cold, you can set them out in the garden at or just before the average last frost date in your area. * Fill a shallow container or a flat containing individual cells with a commercial seed-starting (germinating) mix. Moisten the mix and let it drain. * Sow the seeds in rows in the container or 3 to 4 per cell and cover the seeds lightly with a thin layer of the germinating mix or vermiculite. Press the mix down lightly and spritz the surface with water to moisten it and settle the seeds.

* Place the container in a clear plastic bag and tie it closed with a twist tie. Keep the plastic off the surface by inserting three or four plastic plant labels, plant sticks or twigs in the medium before enclosing the tray in the bag. Set in a warm location so the medium maintains a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. * Seeds of annuals and biennials germinate in 7 to 10 days; perennials take a bit longer, 2 to 3 weeks. When you see the first greenery, remove the plastic cover and place the container in a sunny, preferably south-facing, window or in a fluorescent-light garden. * Keep the medium evenly moist, but not soggy. When you need to water, do so from the bottom: Set the container in a sink or dishpan filled with 1 to 2 inches of water and let the water soak in from below. Remove the container when you see moisture beading on the surface. Do not overwater. * Begin to fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer about 10 days after seedlings appear. Provide lights or a sunny growing location to avoid stretched, leggy plants.

* When seedlings in cells or individual pots have two sets of true leaves (not the first cotyledon leaves), snip off all but the strongest plant. Snip off plants in the rows in flats to space those that remain about 2 inches apart. Provide good air circulation by not overcrowding the plants. Transplant seedlings to individual 2-1/2 inch pots when they have 3 to 4 sets of true leaves. * Maintain even soil moisture and fertilize every 10 days to 2 weeks until you transplant the seedlings outdoors. Maintain high light levels. Sow Seeds Outdoors Starting seeds indoors gives you the best chance for early and full bloom during the summer, but you can also sow annual Dianthus, D. chinensis, and those treated as annuals, D. barbatus for example, outdoors in spring after danger of frost has passed. The National Garden Bureau recommends you sow seeds where you want the plants to grow and cover lightly with fine soil or compost. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination occurs. Start biennial and perennial Dianthus anytime in spring or summer but at least two months before the average date of the first fall frost in your area.

Sow seeds in place or in a separate seedbed or cold frame, transplanting seedlings to their final spot in the garden the following spring. SELECTING PLANTS AT THE GARDEN CENTER If you prefer to begin your garden with plants, letting someone else take care of starting the seeds, you will find many different kinds of Dianthus at garden centers and nurseries, making it easy to find some to suit your design ideas and space. * Look for plants with clear green or grayish green foliage. Avoid any with yellowed leaves (possible sign of root rot) and those that have traces of wispy webs, an indication of spider mites. Pass up leggy plants in favor of more compact or well-branched specimens. * Many, but not all, plants will be in flower when you purchase them. Most will at least be in bud, and the buds may show some color. Pots of Dianthus usually contain plant labels indicating the variety name and, sometimes, its height and spread. TRANSPLANTING Pick a Site. Dianthus grow best in full sun, in a garden that receives at least six hours of direct sun daily.

Maiden pink and sweet william will tolerate partial shade, but most Dianthus in shady locations produce fewer blooms on lankier plants. Prepare the Soil. Dianthus prefer somewhat alkaline soil that drains well. If your soil tends to be acidic, mix in ground limestone before planting. If you are starting a new garden, dig the bed to a depth of about 6 inches and incorporate a one-inch layer of compost or dried manure at the same time. Transplant. Pick an overcast, calm day to transplant, whether you plant homegrown or store-bought seedlings. Use a trowel to dig a hole, unpot the plant, and set it in the ground at the same level it was growing in the pot. Firm the soil around the root ball. Space dwarf varieties 6 to 8 inches apart, taller and mat-forming kinds about 12 inches apart. Water the planting well when all the plants are in. DIANTHUS IN THE GARDEN Dianthus lends itself to many design uses, depending on height and growth habit.

Use dwarf and mat-forming Dianthus as an edging for a border, in containers, in a rock garden, among pavers in a patio, as a groundcover, or along a rock wall. Plant medium to tall varieties with other annuals and perennials in a border, in a cutting garden, and in front of evergreen shrubs. Combine Dianthus with plants that harmonize with its foliage and flower colors: for example, coral bells, feverfew, lambs-ear, larkspur, lavender, hardy geraniums, petunias, poppies, floribunda and shrub roses, and sage. * To encourage continuous blooming or reblooming, deadhead (cut off spent blooms) regularly to prevent seed-formation. In a cutting garden, you promote new blooms each time you gather flowers for bouquets--an excellent cut flower, Dianthus lasts up to two weeks in a vase. After the first flush of bloom in late spring/early summer, lightly shear back both spent blooms and foliage of edging and groundcover plants. * Many Dianthus self-seed readily, making even the annuals seem like perennials.

* Dianthus are shallow-rooted, so to insure the survival of the plants over winter, mulch lightly after the ground freezes in fall or early winter. If rabbits are rampant in your area, a mulch or covering of pine boughs may deter them from nibbling on the plants leaves, which tend to persist into winter, especially in the South. * In the Southeast and Southwest, gardeners can grow most species of Dianthus for flower color through winter. Planting times range from September to November, depending on the area and fall temperatures. Start with plants from a garden center or plan ahead and sow seeds indoors or out. * Although pests and diseases are seldom much of an issue for Dianthus, keep an eye out for signs of red spider mites and aphids. Wash the latter off with a hard spray from the garden hose; prevent the former by providing enough space for good air circulation among the plants and, if necessary, treat with an insecticidal soap. (Pesky rabbits may find the blooms and foliage less tasty.) When it comes to diseases, diligence is the best prevention.

Plant in soil with good drainage, give plants sufficient spacing for air circulation, and immediately remove any plant parts or plants with signs of disease, such as watery stems (rot) or powdery coating on leaves (mildew). POTTED DIANTHUS Seemingly made for containers, the National Garden Bureau highly recommends gardeners use Dianthus in pots and window boxes. Set the smaller and dwarf varieties along the edge, taller varieties in the center or at the back of a container you view from one side only. Mix and match them with any number of compatible annuals, perennials, and herbs, such as argeranthemum, lavender, lemon thyme, nemesia, petunia and viola. Planting: Select a container with drainage holes in the bottom or sides so the soil does not become waterlogged. Use a packaged potting mix or a soilless mix; do not use garden soil. Garden soil often contains weed seeds and is quite heavy when wet. If you plan to move the container around or you plant a window box for a sill or deck railing, consider using a soilless mix, which is lightweight.

If you want to skip fertilizing the plants during the season, incorporate a controlled-release fertilizer in the mix before planting. To cut down on watering chores, mix water-absorbing polymer crystals in as well. Before unpotting the plants, set them on top of the mix in the container and rearrange them until you like the design. Then, unpot and place the plants in the mix at the same level they were growing originally. Water the planting well. Care: Check the soil in the containers frequently in very hot weather and water as needed. Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble plant food, if you did not use a controlled-release fertilizer at planting time. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Information and Photograph courtesy of National Garden Bureau. skeizer Light: Full Sun to Part Shade Water: Dry to Medium moisture Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer Bloom Color: Red, Pink, White, and Bicolor Soil: Alkaline, Moist, and Well-Drained Zone: 3-9 History: The Dianthus barbatus is not a new plant in the horticulture community. It has been around since ancient times and is native to Eurasia.

The plant was named by Theophrastus, a Greek botanist. The name Dianthus comes from the Greek word dios which means ‘divine’ and anthous which means ‘flower’. This plant is commonly known as Sweet William and is in the same family as the carnation, Dianthus caryophyllus. Plants in this family are also known as “Pinks”. They received this name not because they come in the color pink but rather because the edges of their flowers appear to have been trimmed by ‘pinking shears’. Growth: Dianthus barbatus is commonly known as a biennial, a plant with a two year life span, but because it can self-seed so easily it can be considered an annual. However, many people prefer to simply buy cold treated plant in the spring and grow them as annuals. As previously mentioned the Sweet William can be propagated by seed but also by division. The plant typically grows to be between one to two feet tall with smaller flowers in a dense, flat-topped terminal cluster that are between three to five inches wide. Sweet William has an upright, round shaped growth habit.

Also by placing several plants together you can create a very nice mass of foliage and flowers. Dianthus barbatus does prefer to grow in a full sun to a part shade environment with well drained, slightly alkaline soil. A good tip is to add some lime into the planting soil and the Sweet William will be a much healthier plant. Flowering: The bloom time for Dianthus barbatus is early spring to late summer before the first frost. Flowers on this plant are generally vibrant red, pink, or white, sometimes with a contrasting eye, and fringed, or ‘pinked’ five petals. It also comes in a bicolor combination of the previously mentioned colors. Sweet William’s flowers are said to be both showy and fragrant but many new cultivars are no longer fragrant. Plants do come in double-flowered forms and in some dwarf cultivars; they are between four to eight inches tall. You must deadhead the Dianthus barbatus after blooming if you wish to prolong the season. Uses: Whether it is a bed, a border, or a container, Dianthus barbatus works well in almost any type of garden. It can also be grown as a cut-flower.

Sweet William will also attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Problems : Like most plants, Dianthus barbatus is not without problems. The plant is susceptible to crown rot and rust, especially when planted in poorly drained soil. In addition, you must keep an eye out for snails and slugs, also keep in mind that Sweet William does not tolerate the heat well. Dianthus barbatus 'Heart Attack' - Plant Finder Plant Finder Tried and Trouble-free Recommended by 1 Professionals Common Name: sweet William Height: 0.75 to 1.00 feet Spread: 0.50 to 0.75 feet Bloom Time: May to June Bloom Description: Reddish-black Garden locations Culture Winter hardy to USDA Zones 3-9. This is a short-lived perennial that is perhaps best grown as a biennial. However, many gardeners simply purchase cold treated plants in spring and grow them as annuals. Moreover, many of the new cultivars will bloom the first year from seed if the seed is started early enough.

Sweet William is best grown in deep, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun, but generally appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. In optimum growing conditions it will reseed each year and remain in the garden for many years as if it were a long-lived perennial. Double-flowered forms will not come true from seed, however. Prompt deadheading of spent flowers (shear back large plantings) promotes perennial tendencies. Seed may be planted directly in the garden in late spring for bloom the following year. Some nurseries sell seedlings in early fall that may be planted immediately for bloom the following year. Nurseries commonly sell plants in spring for flowering the same year. Noteworthy Characteristics Dianthus barbatus, commonly called sweet William, typically grows 12-24” tall and features small flowers held in dense, flat-topped terminal clusters (3-5” wide). Many cultivars are available in commerce, including double-flowered forms as well as some dwarf plants (4-8” tall). Flowers come in vivid shades of red, pink, white and bicolor, sometimes with a contrasting eye, and with fringed petals that are bearded on the inside.

Bloom from late spring to early summer. Flowers may be fragrant, although many of the newer cultivars have no scent. Lance-shaped medium green leaves (to 4” long). Genus name comes from the Greek words dios meaning divine and anthos meaning flower. Specific epithet means bearded or with long, weak hairs. ‘Heart Attack’ typically grows to 12” tall and features small reddish-black flowers held in dense, flat-topped terminal, carnation-like clusters (3-5” wide). Blooms from late spring to early summer. Although most Dianthus barbatus cultivars in commerce are biennials, ‘Heart Attack’ is reportedly a perennial. Problems Susceptible to crown rot and rust, particularly in poorly-drained soils. Watch for snails and slugs. Garden Uses

Question: What is the common name for the garden flower dianthus barbatus
Answer: Sweet William